The 2014 Fantasy League
Episode IV – A New Hope
“A long time ago in a galaxy far far away” Paul Reynolds sat by his computer awaiting scorecards that would include fully registered players, the names of catchers, the size of partnerships and other useful information that would illuminate the season for all to see. Of course we all know that his wait was a futile one. His hope continued to glow, but like the fires embers, the light diminished over time. More and more games were scheduled to be played and in all probability were played, but without sharing the scorecards with Paul, how was he to know, how was he to spread the news. League tables meant nothing; no points could be awarded nor taken away.
Surely someone somewhere must have the details. Was it the captains or perhaps in some cases actual scorers. Not in Division 12 apparently, nor in Railway Union where three mystery games had occurred involving more than one team. Longford may have had the excuse of a lack of investment in broadband being so far from the capital, but surely they have dial-up at least. Swords Seconds also refused to report on their victory over Pembroke’s Sixth XI. The strange thing is this list does not include any of the games that took place this weekend, but belong to those games commenced in the depths of April.
Some teams have managed to submit some games and the following fantasy table must be taken with the proverbial pinch of salt as they are missing so many players, including the authors magnificent 24 points which would have seen him in 143rd place, which may be the highest point of his season.
However, it would be blatantly unfair to those teams and those players who have supplied Paul Reynolds with figures and more importantly with hope to sustain him through these early season weeks. Paul must be sorely tempted to scatter penalty points left right and centre to errant teams, but may not be allowed to, as to do so would surely end some teams’ league chances here and now.
We can also expect some amazing changes to the first few weeks tables as teams submit multiple result cards and players leap many points and many places.
The points are allocated, not at random as some have suggested (being called Craig does not get you a bonus) along the same lines as previous years.
Turning up and being named in the 11 gains 10 points. This rewards availability and the objective is to get people to play cricket. Of course this does count against those from one team clubs, or even those starred on the first teams of multiple team club, but they such have talent on their side and some of us don’t.
Every run scored nets one point. Any more than that and point inflation would run riot.
Each wicket gains the bowler 20 points. Seems a lot but it actually is a fair representation. There is an even enough split in the points between in the field, bowling and batting.
Every catch taken is worth 10 points (whilst every catch dropped is worth scorn and withering looks from the bowler). Keepers take get 15 points for each stumping. A stumping is a specialist skill from a specialist player that is certainly worth more than a simple catch and is therefore worth more points. If nothing else they are difficult to get given as the square leg umpire at lower divisions is just as likely to be watching the clouds, the families walking by or dreaming of tea as watching the speed of hand.
Bonuses are available for many feats. 50’s earn 10 extra points whilst reaching 100 get 20. Five wicket hauls are rarer now with overs limited, but still earn 10 bonus points. Anyone who takes all ten wickets in an innings will be sorely disappointed with a bonus of 20 points, but will gain a lifetime of satisfaction.
So without further ado (well there may be some ado, but I promise to clean it up), here is the first fantasy table of 2014. The top reported performer thus far is from Cabinteely CC, who had the honour of hosting the first league game of the Leinster season back on 12 April, when most of us still had the heating on full blast and some of us were still involved in winter sports such as curling or biathlon.
J. George is the first amongst 229 players with a total of 199 points from 2 games. He has already notched his first fifty, scored 99 runs and taken three wickets. In second place is I. Mohammed of Railway Union, who has 190 points from just one game. The “Starring Committee” will surely be looking at him closely as he has scored 160 runs to gain 20 bonus batting points. One point further behind in third is a newcomer to the list from Longford, Asher Javed.
The top ten are:
1. J. George Cabinteely 199pts
2. I. Mohammed R&SPU 190
3. Asher Javed Longford 189
4. J. Murphy Rush 183
5. S. Ritchie Clontarf 172
6. H. Oppermann Clontarf 160
7. A. Mustafi Lucan 150
8. A. Sukamaran Dundrum 147
9. J. Cotter Clontarf 146
10. A. Varma Merrion 143
Twenty two players have made it past 100 points and 229 players have taken to the field. Player Unregistered has only appeared for Cabinteely thus far and two teams were left a player short, or one team, two players.
The top runs scorers are unsurprisingly topped by I. Mohammed (R&SPU) and his 160. If left on his current team he must be looking to chase down Ed Joyce in pursuit of 1,000 runs before the end of May. The other player past 100 is S. Ritchie (Clontarf) who scored 122 over two games. 177 out of 229 players have made a mark on scorebooks making at least one run.
Top wicket takers on the early season damp tracks/mats have all managed six wickets some in two games, some in one. S. Mathews (Cabinteely), A. Mustafi (Lucan), H. Oppermann (Clontarf) and J. Murphy (Rush). A further 90 bowlers have taken their first and they hope not their last wicket of the season.
Out on his own with three catches and the man who can claim to have the safest hands in Leinster is F. Ul Haq (R&SPU) with three catches. Another 13 players have taken two catches and 41 others have proved they can take a catch.
Five stumpings have been given already with S. Sarfraz (Longford) the sharpest of all with 2. S. Mirza (Rush), T. James (Clontarf) and L. Ginnell (Leinster) are the other successful ‘keepers to date.
So we are underway. 21 teams have had their results reported. Whatever/whoever your God may be may actually know how many games have been played and how many players should be on these tables. Actually your captains may know. If you want to see your figures, your performances appear on the table, have a word. Paul Reynolds will thank you from the heart of his bottom.